Roy Hodgson is so sure that a topsy-turvy few weeks will not affect John Stones that the Everton defender is starting England's Euro 2016 qualifier in San Marino.
Saturday's trip to the side ranked 193rd in world will almost certainly bring with it the three points that guarantees the Three Lions' place at next summer's European Championships.
The margin of victory is the only matter of debate, but Hodgson did not want to name his starting line-up a day early and disrespect the hosts - albeit that may be too late after suggesting the country's cricket team could do a job against them.
The England manager did, though, confirm that Stones would be start the match just days after the end of the transfer window, when a summer-long saga was brought to a close for the 21-year-old.
"He's done exceptionally well, hasn't he? It's a fact of life, the transfer window brings about this speculation," Hodgson said.
"The way he's handled it at Everton has been quite fantastic. He's been 100 per cent concentrated, focused and motivated to play since he's been with us.
"It is of no concern to me and won't affect his play."
Stones was one of three players Hodgson confirmed would start at the San Marino Stadium, along with in-form Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and Leicester's Jamie Vardy.
The latter was last month handed a "substantial fine" and said he will take diversity awareness training after being filmed using racist language in a casino.
"Of course, there are some players in the squad who have evoked a lot of interest from the press and people," Hodgson said.
"There's a lot of speculation about whether they'll play or not, so I can say that Jonjo Shelvey, who has had a brilliant start to the season, will start the game, as will John Stones and Jamie Vardy.
"I give you those three names as starters, but I am not prepared to give any others."
Hodgson's squad has a clean bill of health heading into the match - but that may not be the case after the game judging by the state of the pitch.
The San Marino Stadium surface is patchy and dry - to put it kindly - although Hodgson was pleased rather than peeved with it.
"I think they've done very well considering that, four or five weeks ago, they'd only just laid the pitch," Hodgson said. "It was in a pretty parched condition then.
"They've done well to get it into the condition it's in now. As long as it's watered tomorrow, it'll be a surface that's perfectly playable.
"I must congratulate San Marino for the job they've done. It could have been a lot worse."
Source: PA
